News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Janet Winter fills a cup of chili during the Living Hope Church Christmas Cheer & Chilli Cookoff on Wednesday. After sampling all of the chilis, everyone went Christmas caroling at Medilodge of Alpena.

ALPENA — The Living Hope Church is planning new and exciting community events to connect itself more closely with the Alpena area.

On Wednesday, the church hosted its first Christmas Cheer & Chili Cookoff.

The event, which was open to the public, featured people who provided their special renditions of chili for people to sample, and when everyone’s bellies were full, the crowd shared their Christmas spirit at Medilodge where they went caroling.

The event was capped off with Christmas cookies and hot cocoa back at the church after performing holiday songs at the care facility.

Event Organizer Kyla Avery said the holiday event fit in with the congregation’s goals to include more members of the community in church events.

She said Wednesday’s event was part of that strategic plan.

“We are trying to do more family-friendly events the whole community can be included in,” Avery said. “This one is during the perfect time of the year and although it is the first time doing the holiday cookoff, we would love it to become an annual event.”

The church is already awash in Christmas decorations as the celebration of Jesus’s birth nears. She said the church, its congregation, and especially the kids, were excited to snack on the chili and cookies and show off their vocal chops to those at Medilodge.

“It was very festive and going out caroling is a good way to brighten the mood of some people and help get them into the holiday spirit,” Avery said. “Everyone knows the words to all of the Christmas songs, so everyone can join in and sing if they want.”

Kathleen Gorski, activities director for Medilodge of Alpena, said the residents of the facility are always eager for Christmas time and love when people come to celebrate the holiday season with them.

“The residents absolutely love it,” Gorski said. “They love the music. They love the visit and it always brings joy to them. They always look forward to this part of Christmas.”

Avery said there were many delicious chilis. She said she had made batches of venison chili and white-chicken chili.

“There was traditional chili and others that were more creative,” Avery said. “They were all delicious and we appreciate the people for taking the time to enter. I think everything went really well.”